Joining Oath
Upon joining the pack, the Initiate is brought outside the camp, to an opening in the trees with a dirt circle in the center. There’s a fire that they light, and place a torch within before making the Initiate recite these words, “I, (name), hereby give my loyalty to Rasende until death calls my name.” Each branch also has specific words, which are as follows:
For Knights: “I swear to lay my life for the sake of Rasende, the lives of my people come before my own.”
For Healers: “I swear to heal and aid those of Rasende in need, no matter who they are to me. For a life is a life.”
For Guards: “I swear to protect and serve those of Rasende no matter the risk that may come. My body will be their shield.”
For Scouts: “I swear to be the eyes and ears of my people, watching over the lands of Rasende.”
For Hunters: “I swear to provide for those of Rasende, making sure none go hungry within the kingdom.”
For Artisans: “I swear to create for the good of Rasende, providing tools and armor for all who need them.”
They end their oath by saying, “Through this marking of fire and pain, I have shown I am willing to sacrifice my flesh for Rasende, proving my loyalty for my people.”
The branch leader/high rank goes on to state, “I, (name), hereby officially welcome you into Rasende. May you serve your branch well.”
Once they have recited the oath, as well as pledged to a branch they’ve considered, the torch with the corresponding brand (for their chosen branch) is pressed to their skin in a place of their choosing. The only places off-limits are right under their chin on the front of their throat, and the forehead. After this, a physician or maester will look them over and dress the wound so it scars over properly.
Birth Ceremonies
When an expecting mother gives birth, the kingdom honors her in two ways. The males give their congratulations, and those in the sire's branch take on the extra duties of the father in the beginning, so the family can bond and recover as a unit. While the females give congratulations as well as small gifts of their choosing for the pups (twigs, seashells, unique rocks, etc., Things the pup or mother will appreciate), and those in the mother's branch take on the extra duties of the mother until she is well enough to return to service.
Youth Ranking Up
There is considerably less fanfare for this ceremony, as it marks the beginning of a journey for the youth. However, it is still quite symbolic, and the entire kingdom gathers as the Queen/King invites the ranking children to sit beside them before the rest. They impart some words to the youth as to how this is the beginning, introducing them to the rest of the kingdom and to the Moguls of each branch. They will decide which branch they yearn to study under and will be introduced to the top members of the branch, who will be told to keep an eye out for the trainees and will be helping teach the youth. Once the pups have decided on the branch they aim to join, they will be announced in that branch title, and the kingdom will cheer before they are dismissed to mingle with the new branch mates.
Initiate to Kingdom Members
This ceremony is another with not as much fanfare but equally as important and meaningful as the rest. The entire kingdom gathers as the Moguls bring the successful Initiates from the joining ceremony beside the Queen/King. They introduce the Initiates under their newly chosen ranks. The Queen/King announces the Initiates dedication to the pack, withstanding the oath, and has them announce what rank they desire to study. Once they have chosen, they are introduced to the top members of the chosen branch, as well as the Moguls. Once that is over, the kingdom cheers again and they are dismissed to mingle with the newly ranked members.
High Ranking Ceremony
It is a rare and important moment for the entire Kingdom when one earns the honor of being ranked up to lead or above. As there is only one leader in each branch, there are only that many spots for the Council. When a kingdom member becomes a lead, it means they have dedicated everything they have to the pack, accomplishing all the tasks expected of them within their branch, assisting and leading others, and overall doing all they can to improve and impact the pack. They have gained the admiration and trust of the Queen/King. To become Marquis or a member of the Council is another immense task, and any wolf that has accomplished that has the immense trust and respect of the Queen/King, so much so that they lead within the Marquis and can handle leading if the Queen/King has to attend to business away from the pack on expeditions or Alliance trips. The Queen/King gathers the entire kingdom to recognize their accomplishments and announce them as a lead, as well as introducing them to the other current Moguls as a new peer. The kingdom cheers for the newly named high ranks and then are dismissed to mingle and congratulate.
Death / Burial / Funeral Ceremony
When a member of the kingdom dies, it is a somber event. No matter if you were close to the canine or not, spoke to them or not, it is very much encouraged that you attend. The family or close friends of the deceased are given time to first say their goodbyes while the kingdom sits around them in a circle with their backs turned. Once the goodbyes are said, the kingdom turns around and shows solidarity with the grieving. The Council will have a small group of canines who didn't know the deceased to dig a grave in the designated burial site, with one of the Moguls overseeing them. It is the choice of the grieving, whether they want the Council or themselves, to carry the deceased to the final burial site. Once there, the Council and the grieving bestow meaningful gifts that symbolize their relation to the deceased or significant moments in the deceased's life and duration of time in the kingdom. Upon the final gift being given, the Council and the grieving (if they wish to assist) throw the dirt back over the grave. It is then up to the grieving if they wish to remain at the burial site for two nights, as the Council will do so. Any members who wish to remain may as well.
Union Ceremony
A marriage within the kingdom is always a celebration, marking the end of one journey into the beginning of another. It's an occasion where the entire kingdom comes together to celebrate the union of two souls. There is a spot near camp that we head to, that the beloved's will stand upon, with two trees that touch and cross branches behind. The Council gathers to the sides; the Physician, Sigrid, Warden, and Chevalier sit to the left behind one of the betrothed, while the Baron/Baroness and Duke/Duchess settle to the right. The members of the kingdom are free to sit as they like, however, the Zaquen's sit up front as the Grandee performs the unification. The Queen/King will sit behind the Zaquen’s, observing the ceremony. The two betrothed may exchange a symbol of their love, something significant to their romance, or how they met when the Grandee announces to do so. Upon the end of the ceremony, the now-married couple are allowed to take their leave for an evening or two to celebrate their love themselves. The rest of the kingdom are noted to give their distance for privacy's sake.
- Overview of speech and what to expect:
Grandee: "Present kingdom members, we have gathered here today in the sight of the gods and the presence of the spirits. To forever walk alongside each other on one path is an admirable, cherished promise. It is fate that brings these two souls together. Now, it is Lupus that will bond their souls. May their time together last, and their lives worry not of deception, conflict, infidelity nor struggle. Be it true that one dares to object to their joining, speak now or forever hold your peace. For if it is not fate that brings two together, then it is not Lupus' will to bond their souls."
The Grandee will instruct the couple to bow their heads so that they may place a small and unusually long necklace upon them (which are usually made out of beads, clovers, and flowers).
Grandee: "[canine 1], do you promise to love them, comfort them, honor, and keep them in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, remain with only them, so long as you shall live?"
Canine 1: "I do."
Grandee: "[canine 2], do you promise to love them, comfort them, honor, and keep them in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, remain with only them, so long as you shall live?"
Canine 2: "I do."
Grandee: "I say these words before fate and the stars, before the spirits and kingdom. Let all present bear witness to the bonding of these two souls. Even as the end comes to pass, may they be one, forever and always. One has given their word and soul, just as did the other. Let their promise be symbolized by these necklaces. Nuzzle, and let your affection bring you two together."
Once they have nuzzled, the Grandee will continue.
Grandee: "And so, two have become one, and the cycle continues! Lupus blesses you with eternal happiness."